Middleback Ranges PHES Pre-Feasibility Study
- $500k Funded by ARENA
- $1.62m Total project cost
Summary
The Middleback Ranges PHES Pre-Feasibility Study is a study for the development of a PHES plant at a mine site known as the “Iron Duchess North” in the Middleback Ranges, South Australia. The base case for the pre-feasibility study is 110MW dispatchable power and six hours storage with consideration to increase capacity to 220MW.
How the project works
The Middleback Ranges PHES Pre-Feasibility Study will attempt to establish the technical and commercial feasibility of using pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) plant technology as a large-scale storage of renewable energy in South Australia. The Recipient will also identify a path to final feasibility and financial close.
Area of innovation
As the economy decarbonises, more intermittent generation (such as wind and solar) will enter the market as base load coal generation continues to retire. This creates the need for new sources of dispatchable energy generation such as pumped hydro as well as the need for large-scale energy storage.
This project consists of:
Learn more
Report: Middleback Ranges PHES Pre-Feasibility Study
The project’s purpose is to deliver additional firming capability in the supply of electricity to the operations of SIMEC Mining and Liberty Primary Steel in the Whyalla region, and to provide surplus electricity to the grid via SIMEC ZEN Energy.
Media Release: South Australia’s Iron Duchess Mine Could be Given New Life as 90MW Pumped Hydro Plant
ARENA announced its support of a feasibility study to assess the potential to turn a mothballed mine in South Australia into a 90MW pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) plant.
Media Release: GFG Alliance Commits To Funding Middleback Pumped Hydro Study
On the back of completing a successful concept study, today Sanjeev Gupta’s GFG Alliance has committed to spending $1.7m on pre-feasibility studies for its Middleback Range Pumped Hydro Project.
Benefit
The Middleback Ranges PHES Pre-Feasibility Study will determine whether the construction of the PHES plant is feasible. Should the plant be constructed it will provide reliable dispatchable energy and improve grid security and stability.
Read more
ARENAWIRE Blogs
How could pumped hydro energy storage power our future?
Reservoirs of water are poised to play a key role storing renewable energy to bolster the grid.
Old mine given new lease of life as a power plant
ARENA has thrown its weight behind a plan to turn a disused mine in South Australia into a pumped hydro plant, unlocking new value from legacy mining operations for the benefit of future generations.
